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FAQ Subject: Burgers puffing up in the middle

Smoky, I enjoyed your artice about grilling. I need some advice. When I grill hamburgers, mine always seem to puff in the middle and are not really flat when done. Sometimes they shrink right much. I use ground chuck. What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance for any suggestiions.

Reita Manning

Hi Reita,

Ground chuck is my preference for hamburgers. Click into "According to Smoky" from www.barbecuen.com and read "The Artful Hamburger."

Sometimes, burgers puff up because you have "worked" the meat too much. Another cause is over cooking. What happens is that you cook all the juice out of the exterior and it shrinks making the center look like it has swelled.

But you can eliminate the whole problem by punching you finger through the center of the burger and leaving the hole open.

Have fun,
Smoky